The previously-warring factions turned towards internal difficulties at the start of 12,977 BBY. The Hutt Empire became embroiled in the Hutt Civil War, with former Hutt ChairmanGorrbag launching attacks against sitting Emperor Tusa in an effort to reclaim power. By the end of 12,976 BBY, Tusa defeated Gorrbag and strengthened his own rule. The Republic, meanwhile, under the guidance of Chancellor Hoshiko, began reforming and repairing its military and political command structure, which had been significantly weakened by the Hutts during the war. The Republic also strengthened its ties with the Jedi Order, integrating Jedi into its military command structure.[1]

With their internal difficulties resolved, the Republic and the Hutts spent the next two years building up their forces in preparation for what they both believed was the inevitable second war. This Second Cold War saw the expansion of both military forces, as well as an expansion of territory when they each brought previously unaffiliated planets from their side of the neutral zone into their governments, thus expanding their borders to the neutral zone.[1]

Bogan forces train the Hutts during the Second Cold War.

In addition to indirect preparation for war, the Republic took steps to block Hutt movement in the Republic. The Republic military enforced blockades at hyperspace checkpoints leading to Hutt-controlled worlds within the Republic to prevent the Hutts from gaining a new foothold in Republic territory. In retaliation, the Hutts used the same method to block access to and from the Jedi world Ossus in Hutt territory.[1]

The Jedi and the Bogan spent the two years of the Second Cold War preparing the Republic and the Hutts, respectively, for Force-based warfare. The Jedi trained Republic forces in melee combat against Force users, and cortosis-lined swords to resist lightsabers became standard issue in the Republic military. The Bogan took the same steps to train the Hutt military to fight against the Jedi.[1]

By 12,973 BBY, Tusa felt that his forces had been built up and his Outer Rim and Mid Rim territory solidified enough to once again invade the Republic and fight their way back towards their blockaded territory. The Hutts slowly began to move forces to the border of the neutral zone, which they ultimately crossed in violation of the Treaty of Ithoria. Republic intelligence detected the treaty violation and also moved forces into the now-defunct neutral zone, preparing to meet the Hutts halfway. The Bogan were informed of the inevitable confrontation by the Hutts but chose to wait to see what happened before making any actions of their own. The resulting battle sparked the Second Hutt War.[1]

The Second Hutt War is a role-playing conflict created for TheStarWarsRP.Com. It was conceived by the website's administrators and faction leaders and presented to the website in a write up written by Brandon Rhea, its intention being to move the timeline forward four years without actually changing timelines.[1] According to Rhea, the new conflict and the brief "time skip" is meant to bring the timeline to its fullest potential.[2] The war is scheduled to begin being role-played on April 17, 2011.[3]